New neural circuit responsible for strong discomfort discovered in the brain
The discovery could lead to a better understanding of depression and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified a new neural circuit in the brain which produces a strong sense of discomfort when activated. The discovery allowed the scientists to show for the first time that the subthalamic nucleus, a structure in the brain that controls voluntary movements, may also play a role in the development of depression.
How to manage vision issues following a brain injury
Brain injuries can be severe. Even mild concussions can see [...]
Contraceptive pills might impair fear signals in women’s brains
More than 150 million women worldwide use oral contraceptives. Combined OCs (COCs), made up of synthetic hormones, are the most common type. Sex hormones are known to modulate the brain network involved in fear processes. Now a team of researchers in Canada has investigated the current and lasting effects of COC use, as well as the role of body-produced and synthetic sex hormones on fear-related brain regions, the neural circuitry via which fear is processed in the brain.
Funding awarded to develop 3D model of the spinal cord
UK researchers have been awarded funding to build a working 3D model of the spinal cord.
A team from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Aston University and the University of Edinburgh have been awarded a joint research fellowship to develop a working 3D model of the spinal cord, to improve understanding of the management of compressive spinal cord pathology. The idea for the project came about following a discussion between colleagues about a patient presenting with a multi-level degenerative cervical spine with multi-level spondylolisthesis. Multiple vertebrae in the patient’s neck were compressing on each other and several of these vertebrae were pushed forward creating an unstable spine.
Concussion in sports: new innovations poised to transform the landscape
There is a critical need for more reliable methods to identify concussions quickly and ensure players' safety. Concussions, medically known as mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs), are one of the enduring challenges in the realm of contact sports. These injuries result from the forceful impact of a blow, bump, or jolt to the head or body, prompting the brain to move rapidly inside the skull and disrupting its normal functioning. The statistics surrounding sports-related concussions in the United States underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. An estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur annually in the country. A significant portion of these cases involves children and youth aged 5-18, contributing to approximately 2.4 million sports-related emergency department visits every year. Concussions account for 6 per cent of these visits.
